Pride for Africa as Spain strike gold

Only 12 kilometres separate Spain from Africa at their closest point and they were united in celebration at the finish of a 19th FIFA World Cup™ that sent a fault line of happiness stretching all the way from Bloemfontein to Barcelona.
This was Africa's first FIFA World Cup and it will live in the memory as much for the spirit and smiles of the host nation as for the success of a Spain team who achieved their own first when Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute winner against the Netherlands put them into the record books as the eighth country to capture football's most prized crown.
Spain's concluding triumph in the magnificent 'calabash' of Soccer City brought the curtain down on 31 days of football: 64 games at nine venues featuring 599 players from 32 teams who between them scored 145 goals. At the end of it all Vicente del Bosque's men held the trophy but South Africa's success was the other defining story, the Rainbow Nation putting on a show of pride and purpose that gave a message of hope to an entire continent. The fact South Africa's footballers became the first hosts to fall in the first round did nothing to damage the enthusiasm or dim the ubiquitous hum of the vuvuzelas.
South Africa 2010 was a tournament not short on surprises but European title-holders Spain overcame theirs – an opening loss to Switzerland – to win their remaining six matches, the last four all by a 1-0 scoreline. No side has won the FIFA World Cup with fewer goals than Spain's eight but their football still caught the eye – not least the contributions of pass masters Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta, leading scorer David Villa, and Iker Casillas, beaten just twice and whose two one-on-one saves from Arjen Robben in the Final underlined why he fully merited the adidas Golden Glove for best goalkeeper.
For the Netherlands, the memories of South Africa will be mixed after they completed a hat-trick of Final heartbreaks, adding to the defeats in 1974 and '78. Bert van Marwijk's Dutchmen won all six games en route to the Final and if this was a more pragmatic Netherlands than some of their forebears, their attacking players still shone in the 4-2-3-1 formation that was the vogue at these finals, Wesley Sneijder helping himself to five goals along the way.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: 2 Down! 2 to go!

Another great performance from the Dutch as they defeated the most anticipated team to win the World Cup - Brazil! I feel so sorry for Brazil, I guess they never thought of losing to the Netherlands, since they were the first one who scored in the match, but come on the 2nd half an own goal from Brazil and a finishing score from Robben. This World Cup 2010 changes a lot of mind set from people across the globe, well I am one of them and that even a small country can become a Champion. This would be a historic match between The Netherlands and Uruguay who just recently won the match with Ghana (Great shot from Diego Forlan!) - another loss from the cape of good hope, which was the only African nation who pass the quarterfinal stage, I guess it was not yet the time for Ghana to be in the semi-finals, although  they really have the edge because they were the one who controlled the match up to the last minute of extra time, but unluckily the penalty kick of Gyan was an indication that it's not for them. It ended with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out.

A good comeback from Uruguay - 40 years of waiting. To the Netherlands you're awesome!

World Cup 2010 Quarterfinals: Argentina Vs. Germany

Both of these teams made a terrific job during their battles with other countries, but I am not sure if who's going to win and I know for sure that this will heighten the temperature. Maradona’s reign has been punctuated by bizarre tactical decisions, leading the Argentines to really stumble through to finals. The mercurial coach has certainly got something right in the early stages of the tournament, though there’s still an air around the camp that suggests they can self-destruct at any moment and also, It’s a mistake not to fancy the Germans. Even with a supposedly average and inexperienced batch of players, as they were billed in some sections of the media before the tournament started, they have progressed to the quarter-finals once more, maintaining a streak that dates back to pre-World War II.

World Cup 2010: Match 2 - Uruguay 0:0 France

Match 2 Results


Uruguay 0:0 France
 

France, Uruguay draw a blank

An opportunity to seize the initiative in Group A was missed at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium as France and ten-man Uruguay served up a drab goalless draw. The earlier stalemate between South Africa and Mexico had presented their section rivals with the chance to claim top spot, but neither did enough to secure three points in a scrappy encounter in which Nicolas Lodeiro picked up the tournament’s first red card.

France’s difficulties at UEFA EURO 2008 and during FIFA World Cup™ qualifying have enabled them to sneak almost unnoticed into this competition, yet they reminded everyone of their considerable potential with some slick early play. Predictably, Frank Ribery was at the heart of the best of their attacking forays, and only Sidney Govou will know how he failed to convert the Bayern Munich winger’s inviting low cross after eight minutes. Ribery looked to have laid on a certain goal, with Govou inside the six-yard box when the ball arrived, but the Lyon player’s right-foot attempt lacked conviction and the ball trickled wide of the far post.

Les Bleus remained in the ascendancy, and Nicolas Anelka – who endured a frustrating evening – might have done better than head over from an intelligently weighted Yoann Gourcuff cross. The presence of Diego Forlan ensured that Raymond Domenech’s side were never able to rest easy, though, and the Atletico Madrid striker underlined his capabilities on 16 minutes with an effort out of nothing. Stepping inside from the left beyond William Gallas, Forlan unleashed a powerful right-foot drive that was heading for the net before Hugo Lloris got across to make a fine save.